#2849: Faith Based Credit Union Alliance Wins Herb Wegner Outstanding Organizational Achievement Award...

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Be sure to watch the entire episode located below the show notes.

A few short weeks ago, Chicago’s Faith Based Credit Union Alliance (FBCUA) – a cooperative of ten micro-credit unions supporting some of the city’s most underserved communities – received the National Credit Union Foundation's Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Organizational Achievement.

Accepting the award on behalf of the organization, Dr. Joronda Crawford, president and co-founder of the alliance, said: “Through collaboration, our credit unions gain the tangible benefits of mandatory training, support […] and more, that ensure our member credit unions remain alive, vital and not left behind.”

We invited Drs. Hiram and Joronda Crawford on the show to share their reaction to winning this well-deserved award, as well as telling us a bit more about FBCUA and the incredible work they are doing in Chicago. A very inspiring talk with these two credit union heroes.

Here's a bit more information FBCUA:
Formed to provide mostly African American residents of south-side Chicago with safe, reliable and affordable financial products and services, these credit unions were, at times, the only financial institutions that would lend to people of color.

For many of the 5,600 members served through the FBCUA, economic inequity remains an issue but the FBCUA’s handful of employees and nearly 200 volunteers work tirelessly to improve their members’ financial lives.

These small organizations open their collective doors every Sunday after service and for a few hours on weeknights. Economies of scale are achieved through true cooperation, with each individual credit union being completely open and accessible to the others, sharing resources, training, planning and best practices.

While FBCUA credit unions have seldom let their focus slip from serving their members, their cooperative model, success and impact has led to nationwide change.